Videomaker - USA (2019-11)

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12 VIDEOMAKER >>> NOVEMBER 2019

Special considerations for camcorders

We’ll get into an overview of the important tech

specs to consider before buying any camera

later on in the article. First, however, there are a

couple of considerations that are unique to this

particular form factor.

The lens

On a fi xed lens camcorder, the lens is custom-

designed for that camera. While this may not

greatly affect image quality, it does typically im-

prove things like autofocus and image stabiliza-

tion. These features can make a camcorder much

easier to shoot with.

Cinematographers are known to stick with

certain lenses that reproduce color and contrast

exactly as desired. Lens makers have caught on.

They strive to keep the look of their lenses con-

sistent over their entire line, from cinema lenses

to still camera lenses to camcorder lenses.

For example, Zeiss lenses are known for pro-

ducing high contrast images with cool colors;

Canon is known for lenses that produce warm

colors with less contrast while Leica lenses

produce images that have more balanced color

and contrast. If you like the look or are trying to

match the look of footage shot with lenses by

makers like Canon, Zeiss, Leica and others, then

fi nding a camcorder with the same brand of glass

is a good start.

Just keep in mind that a lens is not a magic

wand; it’s just a tool. That tool, along with others

including your camera, lighting design, and pro-

equivalent focal range is 29mm to 348mm. Dual

SD card slots allow you to either extend your

record time or record proxies simultaneously.

Overall, the NX80 offers solid usability and de-

livers good quality images for around $2,300.

Best professional camcorder

Sony PXW-Z

The Sony PXW-Z190 has three 1/3-inch CMOS

sensors. It can capture up to 8-bit 4K video at

60 fps and 10-bit HD 4:2:2 to SD cards. It has

a 25-times optical zoom, giving it a 35mm

equivalent focal length of 28.8mm to 720mm.

Sony also includes their electronic variable

ND fi lter fi rst released in the FS5. Seven stops

of variable ND gives outdoor shooters loads of

latitude to keep the f-stop low and the depth of

fi eld shallow. The camera also supports the HLG

HDR workfl ow.

One of our favorite features on the Z190 is

that you can assign each one of the two record

buttons to a different SD card. The dual card

slots also allow for simultaneous 4K recording

and HD proxy capture. In addition, the camera

has built-in 2.4/5 GHz Wi-Fi for remote control

of the iris, zoom, focus and white balance from

your smartphone.

If you’re a content creator who needs a fast

workfl ow and you don’t have control over the

situations you shoot in, the Z190 is a great

choice. Newsgathers, documentarians and event

videographers would all benefi t from this cam-

era’s toolset. The Sony Z190 goes for $3,750.

Panasonic HC-VX1 Sony HXR-NX

Best beginner camcorder

Sony HXR-NX

Best enthusiast camcorder

The Best camcorders

390 B02 Pro Camcorders.indd 12 9/24/19 2:10 PM

VIDEOMAKER >>> NOVEMBER 2019 13

ally looking at a smaller number of pixels than

the output resolution.

For example, a camera with a UHD 4K image

sensor may have an active sensor resolution of

3840 x 2160 pixels. However, if you use a 4X

Digital Zoom, your active image area will then

only be 1920 x 1080 which will then be scaled

back up to 3840 x 2160, causing a signifi cant

loss of detail in the image. Depending on the

scaling capabilities of the camera, you may see

a shift in color and contrast as well.

External controls and connectivity

One of the main advantages to using a cam-

corder over a DSLR or mirrorless camera is the

number of manual controls as well as input

and output ports on the camera. Many smaller

cameras lack video outputs, audio outputs and

even microphone inputs. While most controls

are accessible through the menu, many controls

on smaller cameras, such as audio levels, are not

there at all.

Likewise, not many zoom lenses have pow-

ered zoom controls built-in. This type of control

can make your lens a lot easier and faster to

adjust. Additionally, many new camera lenses

lack manual iris control, which can make cer-

tain operating situations very challenging. These

features are standard on most fi xed-lens profes-

sional camcorders.

As you shop for a new camcorder, consider

which features and settings you’ll need to ac-

cess most frequently and choose your camera

accordingly. Do you often move between indoor

and outdoor shooting locations? Quick access to

white balance control will speed up production.

Exposure changing with every shot? Make sure

manual iris control is an option. Customizable

function buttons are another feature to look out

for as you shop.

Also consider what additional accessories

you’ll need to support your workfl ow. If you

need to connect an external microphone (or

two), be sure to check what audio inputs are

offered. If you want to use an external recorder,

note whether the camcorder features HDMI

output, SDI out or both.

What do you want your audience to see?

Your stylistic choices and your practical needs

will dictate the gear you’ll want to shoot with. If

you want your audience to see vivid images on

a big fi lm festival screen, you’ll want a cinema-

style camcorder or one with great color. If you

need to stream your video live, there are cam-

duction design, combine to create the look of the

images you’re producing.

Zoom range

There are a lot of lens options on the market, so

why would you choose a camera with a fi xed

zoom lens? Many ENG camera operators choose

to shoot with the same zoom lens on their cam-

era, even though the B4 lens mount offers many

other lens options. Perhaps, this is because the

focal range is suffi cient to get the shots that they

need and the aperture range is also adequate

— so they really don’t need any other lenses.

This approach holds true for many other types

of shooting. It’s not uncommon to see all the

Steadicam shots on a feature fi lm captured using

a single zoom lens. You might fi nd that the same

is true for your production workfl ows.

Often, it’s easiest to compare the focal range

of camcorder lenses by referring to their equiva-

lent zoom range in 35mm Full Frame. Many of

the models available have a 10X optical zoom

which often translates to covering a 35mm FF

equivalent of approximately 30mm to 300mm.

Beware of zoom ranges that include digital

zoom. When an optical zoom is used to push

from a wide angle shot to a telephoto shot zoom-

ing in, the camera still captures the full active

area of the image sensor. When a digital zoom is

used, the camera is actually cropping the active

area of the image sensor.

For this reason, a digital zoom can often de-

grade image quality because the camera is actu-

manual iris control is an option. Customizable

function buttons are another feature to look out

for as you shop.

Also consider what additional accessories

you’ll need to support your workfl ow. If you

need to connect an external microphone (or

two), be sure to check what audio inputs are

offered. If you want to use an external recorder,

note whether the camcorder features HDMI

output, SDI out or both.

What do you want your audience to see?

Your stylistic choices and your practical needs

will dictate the gear you’ll want to shoot with. If

you want your audience to see vivid images on

a big fi lm festival screen, you’ll want a cinema-

Sony PXW-Z

Best professional camcorder

390 B02 Pro Camcorders.indd 13 9/24/19 2:10 PM